Research Interests

Biography

Dr. Michael Lim's surgical interest is in the treatment of primary and metastatic brain tumors as well as pituitary and skull base tumors. He also has an interest in surgical treatments of trigeminal neuralgia. He utilizes the most advanced techniques in neurosurgery including image guided surgery, microsurgery, minimally invasive techniques, and endoscopic surgery.

Dr. Lim also possesses expertise in radiosurgery. He is the Director of the Spine Radiosurgery program. In addition to treating spinal tumors, he is an expert in the treatment of brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations, and trigeminal neuralgia with radiosurgery.

Residencies

Certifications

Research Summary

Dr. Lim's primary research interest involves immune-based therapies against brain tumors. His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of immune evasion by primary brain tumors with the goal of translation to novel therapies against gliomas. Dr. Lim also performs clinical research. He publishes extensively in radiosurgery and also has interests in brain tumor clinical trials for which he works closely with the neuro-oncologists in a team approach.

Lab:

Dr. Lim is the co-principal investigator of the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Subependymoma and Ependymoma Research Center. This research center conducts basic science, translational and clinical practice research with the goals of optimizing current treatment options and developing new therapies that will positively impact the care and lives of patients with subependymomas and ependymomas, primary central nervous system (CNS) brain tumors

Clinical Trials:

SUMMARY: This research is being done to look at the safety of using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and Ipilimumab together to treat melanoma that has spread to the brain or spine. Both Ipilimumab and SRS are used alone for the treatment of melanoma that has spread. Standard of care uses both of these treatments but are not at the same time. By using them together, we expect better treatment of melanoma, but there might be an increase in side effects. This research study plans to look at the timing and sequence of the SRS and the Ipilumumab. There is also an option to adjust the doses of the Ipilumumab if too many side effects are seen. Ipilimumab is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of melanoma that has spread throughout the body. It works by activating your immune system to fight off cancer. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is approved by the FDA for the treatment of melanoma in the brain or spine. It uses radiation to treat tumors without needing to cut or use stitches. The combination of SRS and Ipilimumab in this research study is investigational. The word "investigational" means that this combination is not approved by the FDA.

SUMMARY: The purpose of the study is to understand the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Nivolumab as a single agent or in combination with Ipilimumab versus Bevacizumab in patients diagnosed with Recurrent Glioblastoma (GBM).